U-Boat Type IIB 1939, 1/144 - ICM S.009

The U-Boat Type IIB (1939) ICM S.009 is a snap-together model kit at 1/144 scale, depicting a German Type IIB submarine at the beginning of the Second World War. This ICM naval range reference makes it possible to recreate a coastal U-boat in a compact format, suitable for display on a base or for inclusion in a maritime diorama.

The Type IIB submarine

Type II U-boats were among the first submarines built in Germany after the First World War. The IIB version was an evolution of this coastal submarine series. Units of this type entered service with the Kriegsmarine during the years 1935 and 1936.

At the start of the global conflict, Type II submarines were used to lay mines and to combat maritime traffic, particularly in British coastal areas and in the English Channel. From spring 1941 onward, these submarines were mainly used for training in the Baltic Sea.

The ICM S.009 model kit

This reference includes 60 parts and yields a model measuring 299 × 88 mm once assembled. The 1/144 scale reduces each dimension of the real submarine by a factor of 144, while keeping a practical size for working on exterior details, painting, and weathering.

The decal sheet offers four documented markings: U 9 commanded by Oberleutnant W. Lüth in May 1940, U 9 commanded by Kapitänleutnant L. Mathes in September 1939, U 19 commanded by Kapitänleutnant J. Schepke in March 1940, and U 19 commanded by Kapitänleutnant H. Meckel in August 1939.

Assembly and finishing

As with any assembled naval model kit, careful preparation of the parts before gluing makes it easier to achieve clean seams. Applying a suitable primer then helps to standardize the surfaces prior to painting. The decals are best applied to a smooth, glossy surface, and can then be protected with an appropriate varnish.

A restrained finish helps to recreate the look of a submarine in service: slight variations in tone, subtle marks on the hull, and controlled aging can enhance realism without obscuring the Type IIB’s lines.

Technical features

• Brand: ICM
• Manufacturer reference: S.009
• Type: snap-together submarine model kit
• Subject: U-Boat Type IIB (1939)
• Scale: 1/144
• Number of parts: 60
• Dimensions of the assembled model: 299 × 88 mm
• Decals: U 9 and U 19, with four markings included
• Period represented: Second World War

Complementary products

Assembly generally requires glue suitable for model kits, cutting and deburring tools, as well as paints, brushes, or an airbrush setup depending on the desired finish.